Update: U.S. Response to Pakistan's Flooding Disaster

Fact Sheet

Washington, DC

September 29, 2010

The United States has responded immediately and generously to Pakistan's call for assistance following the tragic and devastating floods that began July 29. Our response has been consistent with our humanitarian values and our deep commitment to Pakistan. Support to Pakistan includes financial assistance and provision of urgently needed supplies and services, drawing on America’s global capabilities and assets.

The United States Government is providing approximately $362 million to assist with relief and recovery efforts, including approximately $312 million to support immediate relief efforts in Pakistan and an additional $50 million that has been allocated for initial recovery efforts to assist with rebuilding communities impacted by the floods.

The U.S. also has provided civilian and military in-kind assistance in the form of halal meals, infrastructure support, and air support to and within Pakistan to transport goods and rescue people at an approximate value of $67 million.* There are currently 26 U.S. military helicopters in Pakistan supporting relief efforts with more offshore on the USS Peleliu, and an average of four to six C-130 and C-17 aircraft delivering aid daily. These aircraft have evacuated more than 20,000 people and delivered more than 13 million pounds of relief supplies. Hundreds of U.S. military and civilian personnel are working around the clock in Islamabad, in flood affected areas, and at Pakistani military bases in support of flood relief operations.

American business and private citizens are also making generous contributions to assist the people of Pakistan.

Latest Developments:

On September 24, the U.S. announced $10.7 million in grants to provide vouchers for emergency food needs in flood-affected areas. The vouchers are a component of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Food for Peace program and will enable partner organizations to reach an additional 350,000 people whose lives have been disrupted by the flooding.

On September 26, a U.S. funded flight delivered 84 metric tons of WFP purchased Plumpy’doz. This first of two planned shipments is sufficient to help protect 60,000 children from acute malnutrition for a period of 30 days.

On September 27, the 22nd civilian relief flight delivered 1,600 rolls of plastic sheeting for the construction of temporary shelters. The reinforced plastic sheeting can provide temporary shelter for approximately 48,000 people. This flight brings the total amount of reinforced plastic sheeting delivered by the United States Government to 11,463 rolls, sufficient to provide temporary shelter for nearly 343,000 people. This reinforced plastic sheeting is a durable and versatile building material utilized in both emergency and early recovery contexts. As families return home, many will re-use plastic sheeting to repair damaged houses.

Selected U.S. Contributions To Date:

In total, the U.S. has provided 13 mobile water treatment units that each produce enough clean water for 20,000 people a day; twelve 20,000-liter water bladders for the storage of clean water; 208,750 10-liter water containers; 15 million water purification tablets (sufficient to chlorinate 150 million liters of water); 58 Zodiac inflatable rescue boats; 96 concrete saws and saw blades; 237,005 blankets; and 11,463 rolls of plastic sheeting for the construction of temporary shelters. These relief supplies brought in from USAID warehouses in Dubai, Italy, and the United States are in addition to the supplies purchased locally by partners that are providing assistance to those in need.

From September 1-27, WFP and partners reached over 4 million people with over 53,000 metric tons of food. In August, WFP and partners reached nearly 3 million people with over 34,000 metric tons of food. In total, WFP and partners have reached beneficiaries in 51 districts in 6 provinces with over 89,000 metric tons of food. To date, the U.S. has provided more than $137 million to WFP and NGO partners for emergency food assistance, including funding for local food procurement to support early recovery.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which the United States is supporting through the State Department, has assisted 1.27 million flood-affected people across Pakistan.

Through several private fundraisers and events, the Pakistan League of the United States (PLUS) has collected $50,000 for the State Department’s Pakistan Relief Fund. Based in New Jersey, the 450 member group is comprised of Pakistani-American small business owners.

People in Pakistan are invited to share information and updates by SMS texting the word FLOODS to 7111. People using the country’s active Humari Awaz (“Our Voice”) cell phone network are able to update each other about the latest flood news, valuable NGO grant and business opportunities and to make new announcements of support by SMS texting the word FLOODS to 7111. The Humari Awaz social network was launched by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at Government College Lahore during her visit to Pakistan in October 2009. Since the launch, the network’s subscribers collectively have sent over 350 million messages. To learn how to use Humari Awaz mobile users need only SMS the words "HELP" or "MADAD" to 7111.

Public Donation Information:

The most effective way people can assist relief efforts is by making cash contributions to humanitarian organizations that are conducting relief operations. Cash donations allow aid professionals to procure the exact items needed (often in the affected region); reduce the burden on scarce resources (such as transportation routes, staff time, warehouse space, etc); can be transferred very quickly and without transportation costs; support the economy of the disaster-stricken region; and ensure culturally, dietary, and environmentally appropriate assistance.

The Government of Pakistan and the Pakistan cellular phone industry are inviting Pakistanis to contribute to the Prime Minister’s Fund for Flood Relief beginning August 5 by texting the amount of their donation to “1234.” A number of NGOs and companies have announced the establishment of trust funds or donations to the Prime Minister’s Fund.

As Secretary Clinton announced August 18, the U.S. government, through the Department of State, has established the Pakistan Relief Fund for all to join in the tremendous relief, recovery and reconstruction effort. Individuals, corporations, and other organizations can send much needed help to the people of Pakistan by contributing to this fund at www.state.gov. In the U.S., individuals can send $10 through mobile phones by texting “FLOOD” to 27722.

Working with mGive, Americans are also contributing to Pakistan flood relief by texting the word “SWAT” to 50555. The text results in a donation of $10 to the UNHCR Pakistan Flood Relief Effort. Every $10 helps provide tents and emergency aid to displaced families.

A list of humanitarian organizations that are accepting cash donations for flood response efforts in Pakistan can be found at www.interaction.org. Information about organizations responding to the humanitarian situation in Pakistan may be available at www.reliefweb.int.

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